(UEFA) Football Thread - Football not Soccer

In the Premiership yes, but I'm talking about in Europe. In the last few seasons, Liverpool have been a much stronger side in Europe than they have in the PL. For whatever reason that may be, I'm glad we're not facing them in the final. Not that I'm saying Chelsea will be a walkover, but I think playing Liverpool would have been a lot tougher.

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I don't think it matters. Like I said you guys have their numbers. United has that edge over Liverpool and it's not going to change whether the game is in England or Russia. If I am a betting man I would bet that SAF would rather face Liverpool in the final than Chelsea. I think this is the opinion of most United fans as well. This Chelsea team is like a bogeyman for you guys. Sure you beat them 2-0 earlier when the Renties just lost their manager and was in disarray but in the last few years I can't remember any other game in which you guys looked convincing against them be it a FA Cup game or Premier league match.

Most Arsenal fans believe that Flamini has never forgiven Arsene for replacing him with Ashley Cole in the Champion's League final, so the loyalty over money aspect just isn't there. For those who don't remember, two years ago Flamini, a central midfielder, was deputized out of position as left back in Cole's absence and played excellently, including the famous win over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. Ironically, Arsenal didn't tie him to a contract last season - before he came into this blistering form - because no one could have guessed what an instrumental player he would be.

I think Liverpool would have been harder to beat in a Champions League final than Chelsea will be. I'm pretty confident that United can win it.

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Player for player and the way Chelsea are peaking in form at just the right time, I can't imagine Sir Red Nose wouldn't have rather faced Liverpool. I couldn't begin to tell you who is going to win this one. If forced to guess, I'll have to say Chelsea.

Heroes and villains all-round. Credit to Mutu and Gobbi for staying on their feet when they could easily have gone down for credible penalty appeals. Credit too for Carlos Cueller, arguably the best performance on the pitch.

Needing a boot up the arse - Ulfalusi, what a fanny, is he even capable of staying on his feet if there's anyone within a 5 yard radius of him? Joining him, both Cousin and Liverani. Granted, Cousin was a complete moron to fall into the trap of putting his head where he shouldn't, but did I miss the sniper in the crowd who seemingly shot Liverani. Given the minimal contact that's the only reason I can think of as to why he'd go down like he'd just taken a round to the head.

Hard to believe that Rangers have held out all night. Fiorentina the far better team, but just unable to find the goal.

I'm going with the Italians on penalties. Frey's a better keeper than Alexander and they have better penalty takers.

EDIT:

Rangers win on penalties. Delighted to be proven wrong. Even more delighted to see Liverani miss. Shame.

Unlucky for Fiorentina, clearly the better side, but Rangers, and their fans won't give a fcuk about that.

I think Gattuso fits with the English style very well. He has relatively speaking very little technique but can work his butt off i.e. he is like the average premier league player. He is turning 30 this year and probably has only two years of top club DM football left in him. I don't think any of the top 4 club in the Premiership actually needs him (United has Hargreaves, Chelsea has Mikel, Pool has Mascherano, and Arsenal has Diaby) but he could certainly starts for the mid-table English teams. However if he does does leave Italy I could only see him heading back to the Rangers to finish off his career.

Flamini has arrived at Milan for the medical. After the medical he'll put his ink on the deal.

I would like to see Fulham stay up - and they're playing relatively strong football - but I have a feeling, FA Cup final or not, Portsmouth want to get a bit of momentum going in and put out a reasonably strong side. I see Birmingham losing to Blackburn, and I can't see Reading in a must win, losing to a Derby side with one eye on Summer break to wash away the taste of this season.

Actually I'll lay odds now that we'll beat Reading on Sunday. We can no longer beat Sunderland's score, the only record left for us not to break is the first team to win only one league game in a season since Loughborough collage some 100 years ago All the pressure is on Reading, and we're at home. I'm banking on The Rams giving their fans a win to take some comfort into the summer.

Actually I'll lay odds now that we'll beat Reading on Sunday. We can no longer beat Sunderland's score, the only record left for us not to break is the first team to win only one league game in a season since Loughborough collage some 100 years ago All the pressure is on Reading, and we're at home. I'm banking on The Rams giving their fans a win to take some comfort into the summer.